The show that brings the street to the track proved a massive success at Brands Hatch, a huge turnout visiting the Kent circuit to witness the tyre smoking action of the European Drift Championship and the high octane antics of the Time Attack cars. Blessed with sweltering hot weather, it wasn’t just watching the action that those crowds enjoyed though, new to the UK was the chance for visitors to compete in a gymkhana event à la Ken Block. Those who have seen the now infamous video of the DC Shoes founder in his Subaru Impreza will know it’s a real test of driving skill, throwing j-turns, drifting and any number of driving manoeuvres into a course as skilfully and quickly as possible. For a small fee owners of any car could have three attempts to complete the course in their best, error-free time and the standard of those who entered proved remarkably high. With plenty of tyre smoke for the crowds and trophies for the best three drivers at the end of the day, the gymkhana format is sure to reappear at Modified Live shows in the future. And for those unsure about their driving skills, the drift taxi runs.

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 Speaking of tyre smoke, the EDC competition heralded the first ever time that competitive drifting has been held at Brands Hatch. And with the tricky Clearways corner in full view of spectators it didn’t disappoint, a course that allowed the top drivers to send huge walls of smoke across the track. Mark Luney in the SVA Imports 350Z won the event, pipping Driftworks’ Phil Morrison to the win, both drivers favourite’s with the crowd but the first win for the 350Z being met with huge cheers.

On a more sedate note, there was a vast array of cars on display at the show representing car clubs from across the country with a select few entered into the Show and Shine competition. The radical Escort convertible of Mark Keeble scooped top honours there, proving that air suspension, custom bodywork and big ICE installs all cleaned to perfection are still a hit with judges.

Elsewhere, those taking refreshments in the Kentagon restaurant were also treated to something quite special. Electronic Arts set up playing stations around the room letting visitors get an exclusive first play of the new Need For Speed Shift game. Nowhere else had seen this yet so for diehard driving game fans this opportunity was worth the admission fee alone. So the fact they also got to see the JR Motorsports full Mitsubishi works rally car, Pro Mod 200mph drag cars and British Super Bikes all take to the circuit was all an added bonus.

That wasn’t the end of the fun though. The mini drifters of the radio controlled car world ran another D1RC competition at the event while IA Motorsports brought their portable DynoDynamics 2WD dyno along for visitors to test their power on. Which made more noise between that and DJ Richie Don on the London Modified Collective stand is debatable, but it all added to the fun and superb summertime atmosphere.

For lovers of smoking tyres, high octane fuel and the best street cars around Modified Live takes some beating. Snetterton is the next venue for the adrenaline circus on 11^th October, so if you missed the fun at Brands, make sure you don’t miss the fun there.

We would finally like to thank everyone who made the show happen!